Suction stabilized floats

ABSTRACT

Floats having a buoyant portion and a chamber portion hold liquid within their chambers above the interface of the surrounding body of liquid and gas which creates a downward force which stabilizes the float. If the liquid is water, the float holds water in the inner chamber which is disposed above the waterline of the body of water in which the float is suspended. The elevated water exerts a downward force that acts against rocking, swaying, and other destabilizing forces.

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Pat. No.13/242,489 which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 61/392,755 filed Oct. 13, 2010, both of which are incorporated byreference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to floats, more particularly suctionstabilized floats.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Floats have been used through out history to support objects on waterand to transport objects over water. Floats are usually made of buoyantmaterials less dense that the liquid that they are in; for example woodor foam which floats on water, but may be formed of gas (air) enclosingstructures or water displacement. Stability of floats on the water hasbeen a problem throughout history that people have attempted to solve.Ballast is used with many floats to achieve improved stability but hasthe disadvantage of adding weight to the float, especially when thefloat is removed from the liquid. Another disadvantage of ballast isthat ballast needs to be suspended below the center of buoyancy of thefloat in the liquid and can interfere with activity below the float.Accordingly there is a need for a float that has improved stabilizationwithout using ballast, or where used with ballast, the ballast can bereduced in size or serve an additional or alternative function.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the invention is directed to floats capable ofsupporting objects of a predetermined weight not exceeding 150 lbs at aninterface between a liquid and a gas with at least one flotation deviceunitary with or secured to a chamber, wherein the chamber has a firstportion that is fluid tight to both gas and liquid and a second portionthat is open into the liquid. The first and second portions are unitaryor integral and the chamber is floated on the liquid after being atleast partially filled with a volume of the liquid raised above theinterface.

Other embodiments of the invention are directed to a float with at leastone flotation device unitary with or secured to a chamber, wherein thechamber has a first portion that is fluid tight and a second portionadapted to be open into the liquid. The first and second portions areunitary or integral and the chamber is floated on the liquid after beingat least partially filled with a volume of the liquid raised above theinterface. A gas valve capable of expelling gas from the chamber is alsoprovided.

In one aspect of the invention the liquid is water, the gas is air, andthe interface is the water line.

In another aspect of the invention the volume of liquid raised above theinterface has a weight at least 25% of the total weight of the float.

In another aspect of the invention a supported object is integrated orattached to the float.

In another aspect of the invention the supported object is an umbrella.

In another aspect of the invention the float is a buoy.

In another aspect of the invention the portion of the float above theinterface is flat.

In another aspect of the invention a pump capable of removing gas oraiding in the removal of gas from said chamber is integrated,permanently attached, or temporarily attached to the float.

In another aspect of the invention the supported object is an electronicdevice or sensor.

In another aspect of the invention the supported object is an antenna oran antenna array.

In another aspect of the invention the float is a dock.

In another aspect of the invention the dock has a connection forconnecting to other docks.

In another aspect of the invention the dock is linked together withother floating docks to from a larger structure.

In another aspect of the invention the float is a pontoon.

In another aspect of the invention the float is a table with indentionsfor cups.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the suction stabilized float supportingan umbrella on water.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the underside of the suctionstabilized float.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the suction stabilized float.

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the suction stabilized float in water,the view taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a suction stabilized buoy.

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of the suction stabilized buoy of FIG. 5taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of multiple suction stabilized docks joinedtogether.

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of the suction stabilized dock of FIG. 7taken along lines 8-8 of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a suction stabilized float 1 a supporting an umbrella 3 a,while the float is floating on water 5 a. The float is made of buoyantmaterial 7 a, for example foam, wood or the like, which buoyant materialis sufficient to keep the float 1 a and the umbrella 3 a on or above theinterface 31 a provided by the waterline. The buoyant material 7 a mayoptionally make up all or a portion of the structure of the float 1 a.The umbrella 3 a is attached via a tube 9 a that penetrates the chambersurface 15 a at a location 13 a least as far as an interface 17 a shownin FIGS. 2, and 4. The location 13 a has thumb screws that tighten tohold the umbrella 3 a in place at a particular height, or loosen foradjustment of the umbrella height. In other embodiments the umbrella 3 amay be replaced by a different structure or object. The chamber surface15 a and the buoyant material surface 14 a form the float's surface 16a. The chamber surface 15 a is optionally level with the buoyantmaterial surface 14 a, and is shown as such in FIGS. 1-4. In otherembodiments, the chamber surface 15 a may be either above or below thebuoyant material surface 14 a. The inner chamber 19 a is fluid tight inall embodiments and has an opening 35 a opposite or below the chambersurface 15 a.

FIG. 2 shows the underside of a suction stabilized float 1 a. In theillustrated embodiment, the underside of the float 1 a comprised of thebuoyant material 7 a has a groove 18 a but the underside may have othershapes. The boundaries of the inner chamber 19 a are defined by theinner wall 17 a and chamber top 21 a which defines the bottom of chambersurface 15 a which is shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. The tube 9 a that holdsumbrella 3 a penetrates the chamber top 21 a at location 13 a. Tube 9 aneeds to extend at least the length as the inner wall 17 a to ensuremaximum function of the inner chamber 19 a, but the inner chamber willstill function if the tube 9 a does not extend as far as inner wall 17a. The tube 9 a has opening 23 a which allows the umbrella 3 a to extenddown past the end of the tube 9 a which results in increased heightadjustment options.

FIG. 3 shows a view of the float 1 a from above. The buoyant material 7a is shown level with the chamber surface 15 a, but this alignment isoptional. The tube 9 a penetrates the chamber top 15 a at location 13 awith the opening 25 a of the tube 9 a allowing the umbrella 3 a to beattached to the float 1 a.

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the float 1 a floating on water 5 a.The buoyant material 7 a is shown level with the chamber top 21 a, withthe inner wall 17 a and the chamber top 21 a forming the boundaries ofthe inner chamber 19 a. The tube 9 a penetrates the chamber at location13 a and extends below the inner wall 17 a. The tube 9 a has opening 23a and 25 a though which the shaft of the umbrella 3 a passes beforebeing secured in the tube by thumb screws. When the float 1 a is in useon the water 5 a an upper portion 27 a of the inner chamber 19 a isabove the air/water interface 31 a and a lower portion 29 a of the innerchamber 19 a is below the air/water interface 31 a. The water 5 a in theupper portion 27 a above the air/water interface 31 a exerts a downwardforce to stabilize the float 1 a. Optionally, a gas valve is used in thefloat 1 a shown in FIGS. 1-4 to remove air from the inner chamber 19 a.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the inventionconfigured as a suction stabilized buoy 1 b. The exterior of the buoy 1b has a frustoconical outer surface 33 b and a top surface 15 b. Theinner chamber 19 b has an opening 35 b at the bottom and a fluid tightchamber top 21 b. In FIG. 5 a fluid tight compartment 37 b that beginsat surface 15 b and extends into the inner chamber 19 b is accessiblethough the door 39 b on the top surface 15 b. The compartment 37 b isoptionally in other embodiments of the invention. In various embodimentsof the invention using a buoy 1 b, the buoy 1 b supports a structure 3 bfor supporting objects. The structure 3 b is optional for otherembodiments and may be attached, unattached to, or intergraded into thebuoy 1 b. The objects 3 b could optionally include for example, anantenna or antenna array, electronic equipment, or other deviceperforming a variety of functions, for example, taking measurements orcollecting data, light, providing a signal, or beacon for ships orsubmarines, or can be a mechanical device for performing some otherfunction. The buoy 1 b has a gas valve 41 b to remove gas from innerchamber 19 b allowing the inner chamber 19 b to fill with water 5 b. Theupper portion 27 b remains above the air/water interface.

As is seen in FIG. 5 attached in proximity to the open lower end of thefrustoconical portion 29 b of the buoy 1 b are ballasts weights 43 b. Inother configurations of the invention, the ballasts weights 43 b areoptional. In the embodiments of the invention using a buoy 1 b that hasballast 43 b, the ballast 43 b functions to self right the buoy in theevent that buoy capsizes. In the embodiments where the buoy has a gasvalve 41 b, the gas valve 41 b functions to reestablish the desired headheight if the seal on the gas/liquid inner chamber 19 b is lost for anyreason, for example if the buoy capsizes. In this event, the ballast 43b and gas valve 41 b optionally work to first self right the float 1 band then to remove the gas from the inner chamber 19 b, thusreestablishing suction stabilization.

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of the buoy 1 b floating on water 5 a. Thebuoyant material 7 b is sufficient to float the entire buoy 1 b and anyobject(s) 3 b supported by the buoy. The inner chamber 19 b has anopening 35 b at the bottom and a fluid tight chamber top 21 b. The upperportion 27 b remains above the air/water interface 31 b and an innerfrustoconical portion 30 b is below the air/water interface 31 b. Thebuoy 1 b has a gas valve 41 b to remove gas from inner chamber 19 b toallow the inner chamber 19 b, and especially the upper portion 27 bthereof, to fill with water 5 b. The water 5 b in the upper portion 27 bof the inner chamber 19 b creates a downward force which stabilizes thebuoy 1 b. A fluid tight compartment 37 b that begins at surface 15 b andextends into the inner chamber 19 b is accessible though the door 39 bon the top surface 15 b. The compartment 37 b is optionally in otherembodiments of the invention. Ballast weights are preferably positionedat the bottom end of the frustoconical portion 29 b but may be at anylocation below the center of buoyancy of the buoy 1 b.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of multiple suction stabilized docks 1 cjoined to form a larger dock structure 47 c. Each dock 1 c has anexterior surface 33 c that includes a top surface 15 c and sides of thedock 1 c that extends into the water 5 c. Each dock 1 c has at least onegas valve 41 c for removing gas from inner chamber 19 c. The innerchamber 19 c is defined by inner walls 17 c and inner chamber top 21 c.In the illustrated embodiment each dock 1 c also optionally has a rail49 c that is attached or integrated into the dock at surface 15 c. Therails 49 c are optionally connected to one another at locations 51 cwhen the docks 1 c are attached to or integrated with on another atlocation 53 c.

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of a single suction stabilized dock 1 bhaving buoyant material 7 c, for example foam, wood, contained air, orthe like, sufficient to float the dock 1 c and optional object(s) (notshown) supported thereon. The buoyant material 7 c may optionally makeup a portion or the entire the structure of the dock 1 c. FIG. 8 isexemplary of a dock 1 c made of buoyant material 7 c. The dock 1 c is anillustrated embodiment of a surface 15 c that is optionally flat andoptionally supports objects that may are attached, unattached, orintegrated with the dock. The dock 1 c optionally has a rail 49 c thatis attached or integrated into the dock surface 15 c as well as anexterior surface 33 c comprising the sides of the dock 1 c which extendinto the water 5 c. The inner chamber 19 c is defined by inner walls 17c and inner chamber top 21 c. The inner chamber 19 c has an upperportion 27 c that is above the air/water interface 31 c when the dock 1c is in water 5 c and a lower portion 29 c that is below the air/waterinterface 31 c when the dock is in water 5 c. In FIG. 8 the innerchamber top 21 c is thicker in the middle of the dock 1 c than on thesides to create two separate upper portions 27 c or a continuousperimeter. In other embodiments the inner chamber top 21 c may havedifferent shapes with more or less than two upper portions 27 c beingprovided. The dock 1 c has gas valves 41 c to remove gas from innerchamber 19 c. This allows the inner chamber 19 c and the upperportion(s) 27 c of the inner chamber 19 c to fill with water 5 c. Thebottom of the dock 1 c has an opening 35 c that allows the surroundingwater to replace escaping air. In various embodiments the dock is used aplatform or foundation for a larger structure. In various embodimentsthe dock is used as a foundation for a flat bottom boat.

The invention is more generally described below. These descriptionsrelate to the embodiments shown in the figures which are numbered aswell as to embodiments not shown and therefore not numbered. The numbersare meant to reference examples of the subject matter shown in thefigures, but are not exclusive to the subject matter shown in thefigures. The floats 1(a, b, c) described herein use suctionstabilization which is produced when liquid inside a partially sealedchamber 11(a, b, c) that is connected to an external body of liquid 5(a, b, c) is drawn above the gas/liquid interface 31(a, b, c) betweenthe external body of liquid and gas. The liquid in the upper portion27(a, b, c) of the inner chamber 19(a, b, c) held at this higherelevation generates a downward force. The upward force caused bybuoyancy of the float's buoyant material 7 (a, b, c) and the downwardforce generated by the elevated liquid in the upper portion 27 (a, b, c)of the inner chamber 19(a, b, c) meet at the gas/liquid interface 31(a,b, c) (where gas meets liquid) resulting in the two opposing forcesstabilizing the float 1(a, b, c). The amount of downward force generatedis affected by many factors, for example, by the amount of upward forcethe float's buoyant material 7(a, b, c) provides, the size and shape ofthe upper portion 27(a, b, c) of the inner chamber 19(a, b, c) holdingthe liquid above the gas/liquid interface 31(a, b, c), and the weight ofthe liquid. The distance the liquid is drawn above the liquid level ofthe external body of liquid 5(a, b, c) is optionally be referred to ashead height. The various embodiments of this invention achieve suctionstabilization relying on the previously discussed phenomenon.

Embodiments of the invention are composed of a floatation or buoyantportion 7(a, b, c) and an inner chamber 19(a, b, c). The inner chamber19(a, b, c) is comprised of an upper portion 27(a, b, c) which is abovethe gas/liquid interface 31(a, b, c) created by the water line and alower portion 29(a, b, c) which is below the gas/liquid interface 31(a,b, c) In the various embodiments of the invention the inner chamberportion 19(a, b, c) is of equal or greater length than the floatationportion 7(a, b, c). In various embodiments of the invention, thefloatation portion 7(a, b, c) is integrated into the inner chamber 19(a,b, c) and comprises all or part of the float 1(a, b, c). The opening35(a, b, c) in the inner chamber 19(a, b, c) may be at any point belowthe gas/liquid interface 31(a, b, c), but in preferred embodiments, isat the inner chamber's 19(a, b, c) lowest point. The purpose of this isto ensure that the opening 35(a, b, c) remains in the liquid 5(a, b, c)when the float 1(a, b, c) is in use. In all embodiments of the inventionthe inner chamber 19(a, b, c) is oriented to be partially below thegas/liquid interface 31(a, b, c) and partially above the gas/liquidinterface 31(a, b, c) with the buoyant material 7(a, b, c) beingsufficient to maintain this balance when the inner chamber 19(a, b, c)is filled with liquid.

The embodiments of the invention function using the application ofPascal's law which states as follow,

ΔP=ρg(Δh)

where

ΔP is the hydrostatic pressure (given in Pascal's in the SI system), orthe difference in pressure at two points within a fluid column, due tothe weight of the fluid;

ρ is the fluid density (in kilograms per cubic meter in the SI system);

g is acceleration due to gravity (normally using the sea levelacceleration due to Earth's gravity in meters per second squared);

Δh is the height of fluid above the point of measurement, or thedifference in elevation between the two points within the fluid column(in meters in SI).

The application of this law means when the liquid in the inner chamber19(a, b, c) is raised above the gas/liquid interface of the externalbody of liquid 5(a, b, c), the raised volume of liquid will exert adownward force equal to its weight. In the embodiments of the inventionthat downward force acts against any destabilization forces, for examplerocking or swaying motions and thus serve to stabilize the float 1(a, b,c).

The embodiments of the invention function in a body of liquid 5(a, b,c). Once in a body of liquid, the gas from the inner chamber 19(a, b, c)is expelled and replaced by liquid. This can be accomplished through avariety of methods the following example. The entire float 1(a, b, c) issubmerged under liquid 5(a, b, c) with the opening 35(a, b, c) facingupward toward the surface. Once the gas escapes from the inner chamber19(a, b, c), the float 1(a, b, c) is rotated under the liquid so thatthe opening is now facing downward, away from the surface of the liquid.The float 1(a, b, c) is then allowed to float to the surface with thissame orientation. This method is preferable in smaller floats 1 a forexample floats that require 150 lbs of force or less to submerge forexample: 1 lb, 2 lbs, 3 lbs, 4 lbs, 5 lbs, 10 lbs, 15 lbs, 20 lbs, 30lbs, 40 lbs, 50 lbs, 60 lbs, 70 lbs, 80 lbs, 90 lbs, 100 lbs, 110 lbs,120 lbs, 130 lbs, 140 lbs, or 150 lbs.

An alternative method is to use a gas valve 41(b, c) to expel the gasfrom the chamber while the float 1(a, b, c) is in the liquid 5(a, b, c)with the opening 35(a, b, c) under liquid facing downward, away from thesurface. This gas will be replaced by liquid from the surrounding bodyof liquid 5(a, b, c). This method may be used in floats of all sizes,but it is particularly advantageous with larger floats 1(b, c) as theamount of force required to sink the float 1(b, c) is usuallysubstantial. In some embodiments of the invention, a ballast 43 b isattached or integrated into the float 1(a, b, c) to provide extrastabilization and additionally act to self right the float 1(a, b, c) inthe event that the float 1(a, b, c) capsizes.

In some embodiments of the invention the float is a moving watercraftwherein the opening to the inner chamber can be selectively opened andclosed. When open, any gas in the inner chamber is expelled via an airvalve and replaced by liquid. The liquid in the inner chamber acts asresistance to the movement of the watercraft and can be utilized inregular or emergency braking of the watercraft. Inner chambers placedoff the center line of the watercraft can be utilized when turning thewatercraft by providing resistance to the side of the watercraft that isthe same as the direction of the turn. For example when turning right,the watercraft opens the inner chamber positioned on the right side ofthe watercraft. The water in the inner chamber provides resistance onthe right side of the watercraft and on the inside of the turn whichallows the watercraft to turn more sharply.

The larger the volume of liquid in the upper portion 27(a, b, c) (drawnabove the gas/liquid interface 31(a, b, c)) the more downward force iscreated. Stabilization of the float 1(a, b, c) in liquid is a product ofthis downward force. Increased stabilization is achieved if the volumeof liquid in the upper portion 27(a, b, c) has a larger width and depthto height ratio, but the embodiments in this invention can be anyfunctional shapes or configurations.

In other embodiments of the invention the float 1(a, b, c) optionallyhas a flat top surface. In various other embodiments the top surface maybe curved, higher or lower along the edges, or a variety of differentshapes. The inner chamber 19(a, b, c) and buoyant material 7(a, b, c)may be various sizes or shapes, but the buoyant material 7(a, b, c) cannot be so long or so buoyant as to lift any part of the opening to theinner chamber 19(a, b, c) out of the liquid 5(a, b, c).

In some embodiments the inner chamber 19(a, b, c) has a compartment 37b, container, or canister that is optionally gas/liquid tight so as tobe accessed through an opening on the surface which optionally has adoor 39 b, or in other embodiments, the compartment may be accessedthrough an opening in the bottom, which optionally has a door. In someembodiments there is a tube 9 a that penetrates the float 1(a, b, c) andextends into the inner chamber 19(a, b, c). The tube 9 a does notdestroy or damage the seal of the gas/liquid tight inner chamber 19(a,b, c). In some embodiments objects are secured to the float via the tube9 a, for example the umbrella 3 a.

In various embodiments of the invention the gas is air and the liquid iswater 5(a, b, c).

In various embodiments of the invention the float 1(a, b, c) is afoundation or a platform for an object 3(a, b, c). The object 3(a, b, c)can be a structure that is attached or unattached to the float. Theobject 3(a, b, c) can be a living or nonliving thing. In one embodimentthe float's surface 16 a can functions as a table and may optionallycontain grooves or indentions for cups, plates, and/or other items usedon a table. In another embodiment the float 1 a is a foundation for ahuman float. In other embodiments of the invention the float 1(a, b, c)can support multiple attached or integrated objects 3(a, b, c),unattached objects 3(a, b, c), or a combination of both.

In some embodiments of the invention the float is a pontoon. A pontoonis a floating structure used in many watercrafts and on some aircraftsdesigned to optionally take off and land on water. The pontoon is on thebottom portion of the air/watercrafts and allows them to float on theliquid. The pontoons of the claims of the invention are optionally madeof buoyant material and are open or have an open portion in or along thebottom portion of the pontoon. The opening allows liquid from thesurrounding body of liquid to fill the inner chamber while gas isexpelled through a valve on the pontoon float. The liquid inside thepontoon is held above the liquid of the surrounding body of liquid andthus creates a downward force which stabilizes the float.

Using water instead of conventional ballast also has the advantage ofutilizing the adhesion and cohesion properties of water to furtherstabilize the float.

EXAMPLE

An experiment was conducted to calculate the static force created by a30″ diameter float. The float was put into water and the air within waspurged. The 30″ diameter circular Suction Stabilized Device resulted in2⅛″ of fluid (water) being raised above the interface (surface ofwater). This volume was calibrated to contain 3.25 gallons of water.Water weighing approx. 8.34540 pounds per gallon equals a static forcecreated of 27.122 pounds.

Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the artcan, using the preceding description, utilize the present invention toits fullest extent. The preceding preferred specific embodiments are,therefore, to be construed as merely illustrative, and not limitative ofthe remainder of the disclosure in any way whatsoever.

The preceding examples can be repeated with similar success bysubstituting the generically or specifically described reactants and/oroperating conditions of this invention for those used in the precedingexamples.

From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easilyascertain the essential characteristics of this invention and, withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changesand modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages andconditions.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A float suitable for supporting objects on watercomprising: at least one flotation device comprising a buoyant materialof a size sufficient to support at least 10 pounds above a waterline,wherein said flotation device is unitary with or secured to an innerchamber wherein the inner chamber comprises a chamber top and a innerwall secured or unitary with the chamber top, wherein the inner chamberis open only on a side opposite to the chamber top, and wherein theinner chamber is adapted to be at least partially filled with a volumeof the water thereby creating suction which is sufficient to raise thewater in the inner chamber above a waterline, and wherein the waterraised above the waterline remains in connection with the water of thewaterline, wherein the suction stabilized float has only one innerchamber, and wherein the float additionally comprises an umbrellawherein the umbrella is attached to the chamber top via a tube thatpenetrates the chamber top but maintains a gas and liquid tight sealwith the chamber top.
 22. The float of claim 21 wherein the volume ofwater raised above the waterline weights at least 25% of the totalweight of said float.
 23. The float of claim 22 wherein the floatadditionally comprises an air valve adapted for expelling air from theinner chamber.
 24. The float of claim 21 which additionally comprises apump capable of removing gas or aiding in the removal of gas from saidinner chamber.
 25. The float of claim 2 wherein the float is a table.